Clemens pitches Astros past Phillies

JOEL ANDERSONAssociated Press

Published Tuesday, August 24, 2004

HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens won for the first time in almost a month -- the 323rd victory of his career -- and Carlos Beltran hit a three-run homer to lead the Houston Astros over the Philadelphia Phillies 8-4 Monday night.

Clemens (14-8), who left in the fourth inning of his start against the Phillies last week after injuring his right calf, hobbled around on the injured leg throughout much of his impressive seven-inning outing.

But The Rocket fought through the discomfort, allowing only two runs on five hits in his first win in five starts since July 28 against Arizona. He also had eight strikeouts -- his most since the win over the Diamondbacks -- and two walks.

The 42-year-old right-hander trails Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Don Sutton by one win for 12th on the all-time list.

Clemens even drew a standing ovation when he fielded a comebacker by Jason Michaels and scampered over to first base to tag Michaels for the inning's final out. The Rocket barreled over Michaels, knocking off the left fielder's hat and tumbling to the ground as he completed the play.

Cubs 8, Brewers 3

CHICAGO -- Carlos Zambrano took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and struck out nine to lead the Chicago Cubs over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Moises Alou went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two doubles for Chicago, which has won five of six. Every starter for the Cubs had at least one hit. They moved less than a percentage point ahead of San Francisco in the NL wild-card standings.

The Brewers have lost a season-high six straight.

Padres 9, Mets 4

NEW YORK -- Phil Nevin homered, doubled and drove in five runs and the San Diego Padres built a big lead for Jake Peavy in beating the New York Mets.

Coming off a 2-4 homestand, the Padres opened a 10-game road trip hoping to improve their wild-card position. San Diego got off to a good start, roughing up newly promoted Aaron Heilman in going ahead 5-0. Mike Cameron rallied the Mets with a three-run homer in the sixth inning, then Nevin broke it open with a three-run shot in the eighth.

Expos 8, Dodgers 7

MONTREAL -- Giovanni Carrara walked Juan Rivera with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, spoiling Los Angeles' six-run comeback and handing the Montreal Expos a victory over the Dodgers.

Trailing 7-1, Los Angeles scored four in the seventh -- keyed by Steve Finley's three-run double off Joey Eischen. In the ninth, Adrian Beltre tied it at 7 with a two-run shot off closer Chad Cordero (4-3) for his 39th homer.

D'backs 5, Pirates 4

PITTSBURGH -- Alex Cintron's RBI single with one out in the ninth inning lifted the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pinch-hitter Carlos Baerga led off the ninth against reliever John Grabow (2-5) with an infield single. Pinch-runner Jerry Gil moved to second on Quinton McCracken's sacrifice before Cintron singled up the middle.

Reliever Shane Nance (1-0) got two outs for his first major league victory, and Greg Aquino pitched the ninth for his seventh save.